Advocating for Pharmacare

Did you know that Canada is the only
country with universal healthcare that doesn’t include medication costs?

Many of us can’t afford our medication,
even with assistance from government programs such as Ontario’s Trillium DrugProgram. Many still choose between the drugs their doctor has prescribed, and
food or rent. Many don’t take the medications as prescribed — or sometimes not
at all — because they simply cannot afford it.

And yet, despite the federal election
campaign being in full gear, this is not on the radar of any party, except the
Green Party.

It’s called pharmacare, the inclusion of
medication costs in universal healthcare. I’d be very grateful for this – every
month, I spend almost $400 on medication. Three years ago, I had to take
drastic measures to solve the crushing debt problem I had as a result of
medication costs.

A number of organizations are trying to
bring pharmacare into the election discussion. As part of this, I was
interviewed by Avis Favaro for a CTV National News story about this issue.
Check it out. And then talk to your candidates about it.